"You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

CAMP MIKE SPANN, Afghanistan – Nearly three years ago, contributions from several United States based church and veteran organizations, schools, and private companies made it possible for Camp Mike Spann to open a stockroom for donations sent to deployed troops.

The Warrior Pantry, sometimes known as the “thrift store”, allows U.S and coalition forces, along with contractors, to pick up some of the essentials from personal hygiene items to snacks, magazines, and gift cards.

“Everything in the Warrior Pantry is free,” said Chaplain (Maj.) Dale Code, chaplain for the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. “We receive all our items for free from charitable organizations and individuals, so we believe in giving them to the service members for free.”

Currently there are more than 12 service members from different military branches that volunteer their time to work at the Warrior Pantry on a daily basis.

“I enjoy volunteering,” said Sgt. Maj. Dennis Sullivan, from the Minnesota Army National Guard. “I get to talk to everyone that comes in, and it’s always a good feeling to help.”

According to one of the Soldiers volunteering there, the pantry consist of many items, but the items that seem to go the fastest are deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap and shampoo.

This article I copied without the photo as I believe that it may be a benefit to soldiers if we get this informationIf you would like to send a package to the Warrior Closet here is the address:Warrior PantryFreedom ChapelCamp Mike SpannAPO, AE 09368

Friday, June 18, 2010

I became a mother for the second time 18 years ago! We were stationed in Germany and had just moved to quarters on the economy(off base) when I went into labor with my dear, sweet, handsome Second! We really hadn't even had time to really get to know anyone to babysit the oldest when we went to the hospital, so we took First with us! I love our troops and their families, as a woman who was at the hospital awaiting the birth of a grandbaby, stayed in the waiting room(it was after 10 pm) with First while Bill and I went to have the cutie!

Second was the only child I had that was "term!" Here he is giggling up a storm with big brother! Second and First again! Christmas 2002

Second has always loved military, law enforcement etc. So the above photo shows Second wearing an army "helmet"

Second and First in Germany

Second in the green coat, Christmas in the mountains of Nevada

Second in the tub with big brother...always have to have one like this!

Second meeting his new baby sister for the first time. She was ten weeks early.

Second playing ...he loved the Coupe car, but if you look at the photo, he has taken Bill's PT mat and placed it under the slide, he then would "ride" the Little Tykes horse down the slide!! Second has always been so ingenious!

We collected leaves for cousin Tony(high school class) and here is Second in the mountains...with Sasha.

Second in the van while we were traveling on vacation to Mexico, southern California and Arizona.

Here is Second when we went to Hogle Zoo in Utah.

Here are the kids with Abuelito. Second is on the back right, and he is named after this "grandfather!" We were going to name him John Parker until I saw him, and realized how much he looked like Bill...(awesomely handsome:)!!!

Here is Second on the right side with Fourth, a cousin and Abuelita...

Second in his law enforcement gear. A friend retired and gave us his shirts so I could cut them down to fit our Junior Deputy!

Second as an undercover officer!!

Second and Bill in our quarters in Germany. I had a welcome to the ____ on the front door...that is why the star is there!

Second snacking in school...(homeschool that is!)

Second helping friends out in their yard.

I love being a mom to such a wonderful man! Second is so compassionate and caring. I have never seen anyone so amazing with animals, and to be honest I did not believe that anyone could train a cat, but he has several times! Second is stepping off to the next part of his journey as he is starting training for EMS. He is a volunteer fireman and will continue that as he adds more skills and training under his belt.

We love you Second and are so happy that you are part of our lives! Happy Happy Happy Birthday Cutie!

I became a mom for the first time. I scanned in a few photos of my baby now a man...to share a bit more of him to blog land. The photos are a bit out of chronological order~First as teen in this photo 13!- today he crosses another milestone.

First last year in single digits...he turned 9!

First fishing trip...not quiet 2

Daddy teaching him everything he needed to know

First snow

First pair of cowboy boots

First birthday

First school photo after all his siblings born- he is 6

First photo where he mastered saluting!

First favorite game- hide~n~seek

First male grandson to carry Abuelito's last name

First last birthday(3rd) as an only child(Second would be born 12 days later)

First car-paid cash!

First photo. First was six weeks early and had a few issues at birth but was fine soon after.

First time in a uniform...mixed up ranking but I loved him in the uniform, as his dad was in the army!

I will be honest with my blog readers...I miss my son. It is not the same when he was here in the states as it is now with him in Afghanistan. Instead of missing him, I will share some things about him...

*If I had him one day later he would have been born on 6-7-89

*He had three names and I was not sure of his official name until I saw the birth certificate. Bill changed up his middle name three ways- I think because Bill was still trying to decide which name he liked best. So First had the middle name of Joseph, Alexander, and Tell. I still have cards with well wishes with the variety of names on them.

*It took us five years to pay him off, as he was a C-Section...and my insurance dropped me when I was admitted at 26 weeks. I was told that I did not inform them that I was high risk.(this is why I am skeptical of all insurance-some day another post)

*We were told I would most likely not have any other children after First was born.

*First would giggle in his sleep from about 8 months on...sometimes I would lay there beside his crib and just listen...and smile.

*First talked in his sleep too...I loved to listen to the conversations he had.

*First was my brave companion on my first international flight(as Bill was already overseas)...so at two years old First comforted his momma---have I mentioned how much I do not like to fly?

*First is a magnificent writer. Someday I look forward to a book dedicated to my husband and I.

*First took his role of big brother very seriously.

*First had his first job at age 12 bagging ice for a local mini mart.

*Since that job, First has always had some sort of a job.

*First loves to read...Dean Koontz and Tom Clancy- thank you!

*First loves chips and salsa. In fact he tells me often of his return and his sitting and reading a book and munching on chips and salsa.

*First loves the Lord.

I could go on and on, as I am his mother! My son is a delight and has made these past 21 years shine. I love him and thank him for being part of our lives.

One final bit of trivia...as of today, my son is exactly half my age!! Woohoo...

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Twenty-two years ago a young woman left a small town in Ohio and ventured West. The whole concept of the West was mysterious and exciting and to this young woman it meant so much. She had grown up loving history and the stories of anything western and dreamed often of living in the West.

The original goal was to head to California, perhaps the Gold Rush was her inspiration, but she stopped in a small town in Nevada, and had arrived to all she dreamed of. She had car troubles, this young woman and in a previous state, she had a mechanic replace the fan belts. By Nevada, the belts were once again causing her trouble and so she stopped at a truckstop/ Mexican restaurant to see if a mechanic could help her.

As she walked into the store everything was surreal, as the ranch across the way had cattle and horses and a tumbleweed blew by as she parked. It was as if her dreams were coming true before her eyes! Inside she asked the clerk if the mechanic could help her. To this day this young woman can replay everything that happened next. The clerk called out "Billy" and out came what can only be described by this woman as the most handsome man on the planet. As Billy the mechanic walked towards her, this young woman who had never waitressed in her life, in an impulse moment asked "oh and are you hiring?"

You see, this young woman knew that this Billy was her destiny. He was to be her husband so she did what she needed to, to guarantee that destiny would be fulfilled. The next day this Billy would ask her the most important question of her life. He would ask her to marry him.

By the way she said yes. Oh and Billy? His father owned the truckstop/ Mexican restaurant, and was the jack of all trades for his dad-

Fortunately for me, that young woman is looking back in joy and to the future in happiness. The west is everything that she dreamed of and more. And Billy? He took her around the world, gave her four lovely children and to date, the best years of her life.

I guess you could say that " That young woman- she just knew." And as an older woman she still knows that this life would be her life and destiny.Jennifer

About Me

I have been married to my best friend for nearly 29 years and we live on a small farm in the middle of the desert.
We have four children (now adults) three daughters-in-law, two grandsons and look forward to many more added to the fold.